Living and working in the Gulf presents enormous and numerous challenges for all OFWs. Each of us know that we have to condition our hearts and minds before going here since the environment is really quite tough to handle – especially for gays.

Filipino gays are usually prone to sexual abuse here in the Middle East. I have met some of our kabayans who almost became victims of sexual abuse. Some of them have been dragged by either locals, Egyptians or Bangalis for the purpose of sexual molestation. Imagine that if an ordinary Filipino guy can be victimized by these sex-starved people, what more for a Filipino gay who tends to act femininely?

According to a Filipino gay who has worked in Saudi Arabia for several years, they “have fallen prey to all sorts of abuses by people who have taken advantage of their  ignorance and frailty.”

But the initiative of the actions leading to sex abuse or rape starts with gay OFWs. The Filipino gay mentioned previously adds that initially “a gay OFW may willingly accompany a local, especially a good-looking one, to have sex.” Situations like these eventually turns into rape and gay victims are being forced to perform sexual acts against his will. Refusing, especially to a local, could lead to the nightmare of being arrested and publicly shamed as the story could be reversed with the local being tempted by the OFW gay.

Aside from arrest and public shame, OFW gays could be put behind bars and have a prison sentence with 100 or more lashes. Gay OFWs could also end up getting sexually assaulted by the same policemen who have arrested them.

As a reminder for Filipino gays, homosexuality is a crime in Islamic law. Each and everyone Filipino should be aware of the culture and religion of the country that they are going to work in.

Behave properly and follow the law. Don’t put yourself on a “point of no return.”

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